Resource Efficiency and Waste Management

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) refers to the process of turning organic matter such as animal or food waste into low cost, renewable energy. This process, which is used to divert waste from landfill, produces a rich bio-fertiliser which reduces the need for chemical or fossil fuel fertilisers and returns nutrients to the soil.

Recording of material inputs and outputs is required for the Environment Agency and HMRC purposes, as well as for processing waste transfer notes if biowaste material is being accepted.

Collecting information regarding the weight, quantities and properties of material processed at an AD facility is also important for the management and operation of the process in order to monitor and optimise yields.

In order to optimise Energy-from-waste (EfW) processes and achieve more efficient energy production, inputs need to be closely monitored and controlled.

The composition of waste from different sources can vary significantly. Measuring inputs, tracking waste sources and keeping the burner supplied with a uniform volume of waste can help EfW plants to maximise the amount of energy extracted from each tonne of waste.

One of the important factors that determine the revenue from an EfW facility is its gate fees. With gate fees levied on each tonne of waste accepted at site for treatment, it is important that the weighing equipment in place is accurate, reliable and able to stand up to fraudulent transactions.

Weighing equipment and solutions from Avery Weigh-Tronix can help to monitor inputs and outputs to provide the data required to make your operation more efficient.

Since 2011, the government has been exerting more pressure on businesses to reduce waste that is sent to landfill.

Landfill sites rely on accurate weight data to charge for waste disposal. A scale or weighbridge system at the entrance to the site weighs waste vehicles on arrival, records and verifies  load data and reweighs the vehicle once the load has been deposited.  Data is stored and can be transferred to back office systems in order to meet legislative reporting requirements and improve efficiency.

With both landfill tax and waste fraud on the rise, having an accurate, reliable weighing system that is robust enough to stand up to fraud is vital to the profitability of any landfill site.

Materials Recovery Facilities (also known as Multi re-use facilities, or MRFs) are increasingly important in providing quality raw materials to industry. MRFs separate mixed recyclables into their individual material streams in order to process and prepare them for sale in commodity markets.

The recycling industry revolves around weight, as both the buying and selling of recycled materials are based upon the weight of the collected items. Whether the goal is to optimise profits, to pay for precisely the materials deposited or purchased, or simply to offer an added level of security, weighing equipment capable of reliable and repeatable weighing is essential for improving billing accuracy and the overall bottom line in MRF applications.

In addition, the sampling required by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2014 determines that waste operators must know the weights within the waste streams that they are dealing with.

Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plants are used to treat residual municipal waste by a combination of mechanical and biological processes. MBT plants were developed with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of landfilling residual waste, in line with the EU Landfill Directive, putting measurement, sampling and recording of weights at the heart of any MBT operation.

Monitoring and sorting of incoming waste streams, ongoing sampling and monitoring, as well as measurement of outputs such as biodegradable municipal waste (BMW), Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) all rely on having accurate and robust weighing equipment.

Monitoring the weight and profitability of waste has never been more essential and weight data collection is key to operational efficiency. Weighbridge management systems play a pivotal role, acting as critical control points for vehicles delivering and collecting materials from sites.

More than 10 million tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metal is traded and processed each year.  In order to remain competitive in a global market, UK metal recyclers need to be able to accurately weigh, sort and distribute metals.

With waste crime prevalent in the sector and metal prices far from buoyant, the scrap metal industry relies heavily on accurate weighing to ensure that metal is bought, sold and priced accurately.

As a highly regulated industry worth £7 million, material prices play a crucial role in whether metal recycling businesses survive or perish.

A civic amenity site or recycling centre is a facility where the public can dispose of, or recycle, household waste. While most sites allow householder to dispose of waste free of charge, businesses must be charged accurately for waste disposal by weight.

Whether the goal is to optimise profits, to pay for precisely the materials deposited or purchased or to meet reporting requirements, weighing equipment capable of reliable and repeatable weighing is essential for waste disposal and recycling applications.

A waste transfer station is a facility which is used for the collection and processing of mixed waste streams before it is transferred to another location for treatment or disposal.

Measurement lies at the heart of any waste transfer site, with weighing of incoming and outgoing waste absolutely critical to the site’s effective operation.

Avery Weigh-Tronix’s weighing scales and systems help the waste water industry gather the data required for regulatory compliance and revenue reporting.

Most waste water treatment plants will measure by volume when recording and tracking water throughput.  However, when disposing of sludge or recycling biosolids, weighing scales and systems from Avery Weigh-Tronix can provide accurate weight data for both traceability and revenue.

Our weighbridges are reliable and precise, tough enough to stand up to the harsh conditions found in the waste water industry.  These relaible and durable vehicle scales are available in both traditional steel or concrete versions, suitable for applications with heavy moisture or corrosive elements.